‘Ruturaj bogus hai’- Fans react as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal get selected for West Indies Test series

Following an embarrassing defeat in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, India looks to move on as they prepare for the West Indies trip next month. The tour to the Caribbean will begin with two Test matches in Dominica on July 12. The series will also kick off India’s campaign in the third WTC season.

The Indian Cricket Board, selection committee has named India’s Team for the forthcoming two-match Test series and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the West Indies. India is also slated to play five Twenty20 Internationals, the squad for which will be announced later. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Mukesh Kumar have been named to India’s Test squad for the first time, while Cheteshwar Pujara has been omitted and Mohammed Shami has been rested. Fast bowler Navdeep Saini has also returned to the lineup.

Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback after 15 months in the Indian Test squad in the WTC final and was also the highest run-scorer for India in the final. He has been named as the vice-captain for the West Indies series. Mukesh Kumar, the fast bowler from Bengal has a strong track record in domestic cricket. The 30-year-old pacer travelled to England as a backup option along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pacer was instrumental in Bengal reaching two Ranji Trophy finals in the previous three seasons and has been on the Test radar for a long time.

Jaiswal has been a standout performer for Mumbai, with a first-class average of 80.21 in 26 innings. In his most recent first-class match, he struck 213 and 144 for the Rest of India against Madhya Pradesh in the Irani Cup. That averages 357, which is the highest by any batter in an Irani Cup game. He can not only open but also bat at No. 3 if necessary.  Jaydev Unadkat, the sole left-arm seamer in a fast bowling combination that includes Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav, has also retained his place.

India’s Squad for two-Test against West Indies

Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk), Navdeep Saini.

India’s Squad for ODI Series

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.

Here’s how fans reacted

Good but don’t drop them after one series.

— Sajid (@retireonmars) June 23, 2023

they are the future openers
Gill at 3

— Dhoni Popa (@DhoniPopa) June 23, 2023

Current form rutu Better than Chokli….

— ….Rajesh.M….. (@R_ajesh_M) June 23, 2023

https://twitter.com/Goatofthisera/status/1672179024087646208?s=20

Ahh …..players are getting selected on the basis of their IPL performance

— Ashu Prajapati (@ashuprajapati7) June 23, 2023

Hurray. The real future of India are coming.

— Koushik Reddy (@Kowshik04616113) June 23, 2023

I am happy for these humble players, they both will go long not because they are talented but because they both are humble ones.

— Mantu Mandal (@mandalmantu6967) June 23, 2023

https://twitter.com/OngoleVaadu/status/1672177043566645248?s=20